Solar power comes from the sun: two types below. Supplies less than 0.02% of the world's energy needs in 2008.
Photovoltaics (direct)
Uses photoelectric effect: photons from sun liberate electrons, creates voltage which is electricity.
Advantages
Clean in operation (manufacturing?)
Major advances in Europe in PV power
Creates jobs
Possible to power almost 15% of world by PV by 2030 (EPIA/Greenpeace)
Solar energy is 6000x more than world's needs
Vast empty Sahara for PV park, lots of sun
Individual homes can use solar power through PV roofs
Proposed higher power (250 MW High Plains Ranch)
Efficient (already about 40%) compared to fossil fuels
Disadvantages
Expensive
Takes up space (can be solved by placing on rooftops)
Far less power than CSP type below
Less power generated compared to conventional fossil fuel sources
Max power currently from Olmedilla Photovoltaic Park (60 MW)
Compare to conventional sources:
Bruce Nuclear Generating Station by Lake Huron, 6/8 reactors on, currently 4640 MW
Three Gorges Dam (projected 22500 MW by 2011)
Typical fossil fuel plants are ~500 MW
Canada is far from equator, less solar radiation
150 W/m^2
Compare to Sahara, >300 W/m^2
Uneconomical for homeowners, it would take around 20 yrs to offset the initial cost of installing PV roofs
Transmission losses (7.2% in U.S. 1995), 4-12% lost in conversion from solar power station produced DC to transmission line AC.
Concentrating solar power (indirect)
Functions by concentrating solar energy using mirrors and tracking system and heating up water to steam or concentrating onto PV cells (see above).
Advantages
Similar advantages to PV, cannot be placed on roofs however
Proposed 500MW+ farms (e.g. 600 MW Rancho Cielo)
Efficient (50% expected in future) compared to fossil fuels
Disadvantages
Similar disadvantages as PV
Cannot be placed on rooftops
Experimental: Solar Updrift Tower, Thermogenerator (more later)
[Most of the info above is from just an overview, so that we get an idea of solar power. Taken from Wikipedia, articles on: solar power, photovoltaics, concentrating solar power. Also see the European Joint Research Council's Institute for Energy, fantastic scientific publications and info there for all kinds of energy sources]
Solar
Solar power comes from the sun: two types below. Supplies less than 0.02% of the world's energy needs in 2008.
Photovoltaics (direct)
Uses photoelectric effect: photons from sun liberate electrons, creates voltage which is electricity.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Concentrating solar power (indirect)
Functions by concentrating solar energy using mirrors and tracking system and heating up water to steam or concentrating onto PV cells (see above).
Advantages
Disadvantages
Experimental: Solar Updrift Tower, Thermogenerator (more later)
[Most of the info above is from just an overview, so that we get an idea of solar power. Taken from Wikipedia, articles on: solar power, photovoltaics, concentrating solar power. Also see the European Joint Research Council's Institute for Energy, fantastic scientific publications and info there for all kinds of energy sources]